Felix wanted to accept it more than anything—it was his dream camera—but Ryder was practically a stranger to him. Why would he do this? Felix couldn’t help but believe there was an ulterior motive. It’s all he’d ever known growing up. Everyone was out for themselves, and the only person who would have your back was you. Things were different now, he had Laura, but he was torn over what to do about the camera.
“Why don’t you just go round to his, drop to your knees, get some protein, and then come back here and play with your other new toy?”
“I’m not a whore, Laura.”
“I know, dear. You’d never be able to charge these kinds of prices.”
“Get fucked!” he said, laughing.
Just when he thought he had Ryder Quinn all figured out, he went and did something like this. And that was after the flowers. Felix would need to speak to him and return the camera, but that was what was making him hesitate. He needed a new camera, and now he had one. Perhaps he could just do his gigs over the next few days and then return it, or he could offer to pay Ryder back. Maybe they could make acontract? Felix’s head was spinning, unsure what he should do.
“I’ll need to speak to him,” said Felix.
“Well, remember your manners.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”
“Bitch!”
They both burst out laughing. Once they’d calmed down and eaten some of the homemade cookies, he sent Ryder a text.
Felix:Thank you for the camera and flowers. Can we meet for a coffee tomorrow?
Ryder:I’ve got a shoot tomorrow. Are you free to come over to mine this evening?
“He wants me to go over to his.”
“When?”
“He said this evening, which I guess means now!”
“What are you waiting for?”
“What if he kisses me again?”
“Bend over.”
“Laura!”
She was a terrible influence. She also seemed to know what he was thinking all the time, as the thought had crossed his mind.
“What do I say in my reply?”
“Be there in five!”
“It’ll take me an hour to get there.”
“That doesn’t sound as sexy, but you do you.”
Felix:I can be there in an hour.
Ryder:Where are you?
Felix:Home.
Ryder:Send me your address. I’ll send a car to pick you up.
